SE Asia: Clean water and new water meters for Pyigyitagun

Myanmar is exploring the additional use of water meters in the town of Pyigyitagun under the auspices of the Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC).

According to the Myanmar Times, the project – funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) – will install pipes, wells, pumps and meters, with a total project cost of $20 million.

In addition to providing clean drinking water to the 60,000 households in the township, the system will include the installation of some 8,000 water meters in order to reduce losses through leakage and theft.

According to U Tun Win, an employee of MCDC, “Currently there are nearly 95,000 water meters in our municipality, but most of them are nearly 20 years old and should be replaced.

“People will not replace these meters unless they are provided free of charge. If they are replaced, less water will be wasted and we will be able to collect more water tax.”[quote]

The meters will also allow access to public water supply.

“At my house, I use a tube well to access groundwater. I can use the water in my home but it is not safe to drink. I want a water meter so that I can get clean drinking water,” said U Hla Shwe, a real estate agent from the Thin Pan Kone ward in Pyigyitagun.

US: Policy and priorities for research top water sector agenda

Water industry leaders, who recently met with US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, discussed policy and research priorities during the meeting.

Leaders from the seven organisations (which represent providers for over 90% of the US population) discussed concerns and issues common to water and energy. In particular, they discussed challenges and opportunities in water supply, treatment and recovery.

Discussions also covered:

Legal, policy and regulatory issues across the water lifecycle and environmental responsibility